Quote Source – Medium Responder
A Biblical Christian worldview perspective – Quoting verses such as 1 John 4:20-21 and John 13:34-35, a reader suggested the old song from the lost that God’s only rule for mankind is that we should love one another (Luke 10:27b). The problem with that approach to Scripture is that there is verse Luke 10:27a, as well as many others that put our responsibility to follow God above man. Consequently, there are times when to love God is to offer an extended type of love to our neighbor. Expanding on that point, I responded to this reader as follows:
His Question: I then must ask what is to be done about all the Christians, Catholics, and Protestants alike, who do not love God?
My Answer: Those who accept Jesus Christ, love God and, through that love, love our neighbor. The rest, including Mormons, JW’s, Muslims, Catholics, etc. love a false god. From the believer’s perspective, what must be done is to share the love of God with those who don’t love Him, with a prayerful goal, desiring them to accept His Son as their Lord and Savior.
From a human-to human-standpoint (based on the verses you chose), there is both a secular love between folks and a supernatural love that includes God in the equation. Often, both appear to look the same in their application, but the underlying goals can be very different.
Secular love of one’s neighbor is like the example of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Caring for a person in this life is of great benefit. That is, until they die and are judged for their sins by Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:10), resulting in eternal Hell.
Supernatural love that emanates from a believer would take the Good Samaritan illustration and, from the relationship and bond created by that care, offer the plan of salvation … looking beyond the grave toward eternity.”
For those who hate God, one can love them from an earthly standpoint or, if a believer, one can love the lost from a Heavenly, eternal standpoint. Which sounds better to you?
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
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